Axone (Dartmouth, N.S.)
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Axone (Dartmouth, N.S.) · Jun 1992
Trends in the care and treatment of patients with increased intracranial pressure.
The care and treatment of patients with known increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is one of the most challenging, important and many times difficult task a neuroscience nurse faces in the critical care setting today. Advances in technology have allowed for more precise ways of measuring ICP and with these advances, nursing care has become increasingly complex requiring quick, effective decision making and a high level of expertise for the nurse caring for these patients. ⋯ The purpose is to review the trends in the care and treatment of patients with increased ICP over the past five years and evaluate their effectiveness based on the literature reviewed. It will also provide a basic review of the relevant physiological principles of increased ICP as related to the above case and treatment.
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The basic pathophysiology of submersion injury has been reviewed with an emphasis on effects to the lungs and brain. Factors that affect outcome are the submersion time, the presence of immersion hypothermia and/or the "dividing reflex" and the initial resuscitation. ⋯ In view of the accidental nature of these injuries and potentially devastating sequelae, accident prevention has been emphasized. Nurses can play a leading role in educating parents and the public at large in ways to prevent drowning and near-drowning accidents in children.